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In terms of that starting point I propose that the definitive difference between the religious person and the non-religious person is that '''the non-religious person believes in the Two Things''' (matter, energy) '''and the religious person believes in the Three Things''' (matter, energy, consciousness).  Religion builds on the intuitive certainty that consciousness is not a mere mechanical product of matter/energy.  It therefore must transcend, be equal to, or be embedded within matter and energy.  Even primitive people lacking the modern concept of matter/energy could certainty note that consciousness as experienced from within is qualitatively different from the routine mechanics otherwise observed in nature.  With us they no doubt shared the feeling of not being responsible for one's own consciousness, and from there it is a simple step to externalize, project, and name the result "God."  It is true in a sense that man always produces God, but that must be qualified by pointing out that this production is not only inevitable, but in fact impossible if God--or Universal Consciousness--did not actually exist.  Thus in their awe for the living quality of the universe, as initially experienced within themselves, men proceeded to create an extensive anthology of legends and myths in response. Without even knowing the number or names of the Three Things they believed in, they fleshed them out in story. Christian myth comes breathtakingly close with its Holy Trinity of Father (energy), Son (matter), and Holy Spirit (consciousness). Myth has many names for God, but clearly they all refer to the unknown power that urges matter toward ever more complex forms, animates nature with consciousness, and even makes the ascent toward love possible.

In terms of that starting point I propose that the definitive difference between the religious person and the non-religious person is that '''the non-religious person believes in the Two Things''' (matter, energy) '''and the religious person believes in the Three Things''' (matter, energy, consciousness).  Religion builds on the intuitive certainty that consciousness is not a mere mechanical product of matter/energy.  It therefore must transcend, be equal to, or be embedded within matter and energy.  Even primitive people lacking the modern concept of matter/energy could certainty note that consciousness as experienced from within is qualitatively different from the routine mechanics otherwise observed in nature.  With us they no doubt shared the feeling of not being responsible for one's own consciousness, and from there it is a simple step to externalize, project, and name the result "God."  It is true in a sense that man always produces God, but that must be qualified by pointing out that this production is not only inevitable, but in fact impossible if God--or Universal Consciousness--did not actually exist.  Thus in their awe for the living quality of the universe, as initially experienced within themselves, men proceeded to create an extensive anthology of legends and myths in response. Without even knowing the number or names of the Three Things they believed in, they fleshed them out in story. Christian myth comes breathtakingly close with its Holy Trinity of Father (energy), Son (matter), and Holy Spirit (consciousness). Myth has many names for God, but clearly they all refer to the unknown power that urges matter toward ever more complex forms, animates nature with consciousness, and even makes the ascent toward love possible.

David C.

 

For a detailed discussion of consciousness growth as spriritual growth see my article on Ken Wilber.